Compare the2024 Porsche MacanVS 2024 Mercedes GLC

The Porsche Macan has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GLC doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Macan has a standard Multi-collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GLC doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Macan. But it costs extra on the GLC.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Macan’s standard Porsche Hill Control allows you to creep down safely. The GLC doesn’t offer Porsche Hill Control.

The Macan’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLC.

Both the Macan and the GLC have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The Macan’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the GLC’s (12 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 21 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Macan’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 6 more horsepower (261 vs. 255) than the GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Macan S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 120 more horsepower (375 vs. 255) and 88 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 295) than the GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Macan GTS’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 179 more horsepower (434 vs. 255) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 295) than the GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche Macan turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Mercedes GLC:

The Macan has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLC (19.8 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Macan offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The GLC doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Macan’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The GLC doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Macan GTS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the GLC:

For better traction, the Macan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GLC (F:265/40R21 & R:295/35R21 vs. F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20).

The Macan’s standard 235/55R19 front and 255/50R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series front and 50 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GLC’s standard 60 series tires. The Macan’s optional 265/40R21 front and 295/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the GLC’s optional 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Macan has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GLC. The Macan’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the GLC.

The Macan offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The GLC’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Macan has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Macan’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The GLC doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Macan S handles at .93 G’s, while the GLC 300 4MATIC pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The front grille of the Macan uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The GLC doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 30% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Porsche Macan, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Macan was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 6 more times in the last 8 years. The GLC has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.